Bridging Bamako Berlin Vol. 2 is an exciting collaboration that blends traditional sounds from Mali with electronic beats from Berlin and ambient vibes from Buenos Aires creating a musical dialog and building bridges between cultures and genres.
It features Habib Sangare on percussion instruments such as the calabash and bolon and Lassine Kone on the kamale ngoni, a type of West African harp. The two virtuosos are accompanied by Pune from Berlin on MPC and electronics and Segundo (alias Primeiro) from Buenos Aires, who contributes synthesizer textures and sequencers to the mix.
During the concerts and studio sessions in Berlin, an exciting constellation emerged: the language differences prevented direct communication between the musicians. Although a translator was available, they decided to make only limited use of it while making music. This restriction became a framework, so to speak, a possibility, an inspiration in which the music itself became their common language.
As a result, Bridging Bamako Berlin Vol. 2 is more than just an album, it is a celebration of the universality of music. For each track recounts a story beyond the sung word.
The tracks
is based on a sequence by Segundo alias Primeiro. The song is a precisely arranged mesh of ethereal tones and floating arpeggios. Habib and Lassine heard it for the first time in the studio and immediately recorded the kora and calabash.
The song addresses the longing to bring children into the world and promises comfort and blessing.
This historical tale about the Bambara king who shaped the Niger for his beloved wife deals with the inevitable cycle of life and the transience of earthly existence.
Man is finite,
death is inevitable.
That's the way it is.
The king of the Bambara was full of courage,
He dredged the Niger and channeled his water
to this house
to this woman.
They didn't stay forever,
but you lived very long,
on this land
They didn't stay forever,
That's the way it is.
A celebration of youth and joyful encounters after a fruitful harvest.
After the field work
the young people gather in the village
to celebrate the good harvest.
Girls and boys:
we play
Kamale Ngoni
Bolon
Calabash
Balaphone and
sing!
Everyone is happy, it's a party in the village
This song is a moving exploration of the theme of loss. It is a metaphorical ode to the irreplaceability of mothers.
In honor of the hunters, this title radiates courage and is a tribute to their great responsibility for the forest.
This piece, which is dedicated to the topos of harmony, emphasizes the importance of patience and tolerance.
When you see people living in confinement,
be sure that they are patient and tolerant.
Habib is patient, you know,
that we will write a beautiful story in the future.
Poverty and suffering, everything will come to an end.
I say: see you tomorrow my friends, see you tomorrow
More artists
Produced by Lassine, Habib, Brian Agulla and Segundo Bercetche
track 1 produced by Segundo Bercetche
recorded by Michael Alcalai